As the principal designer at Jamie Banfield Design Inc., I oversee all aspects of our residential projects, from design to client interactions and team development. Our team's cohesive understanding of the design process is key to our success. It's rewarding to see the dedication of each team member at every stage.

My design style, influenced by my move from Wales to the Pacific Northwest, reflects the natural beauty of British Columbia. We've developed a "Relaxed yet sophisticated West Coast" style, emphasizing natural elements and textures.

Functionality is a core element of our designs. I take pride in finding creative solutions that enhance the daily lives of homeowners, focusing on details that adapt to their evolving needs.

From an early age, I was drawn to creativity, often experimenting with my environment. This led to a deep appreciation for construction and design, reinforced by hands-on experiences with my father and his tradesman friends.

Beyond my role at JBD, I contribute to various media outlets and speak at consumer design and construction events, sharing my expertise. Recognitions like the National Kitchen and Bath Association's top 30 Under 30 and other accolades affirm our place in the industry. Our team, with its diverse background in design, manufacturing, and construction, has become a notable force in Canadian residential design.

Jamie Banfield Design Inc. represents the culmination of collective efforts and opportunities. I'm proud to lead a firm that's recognized and appreciated for its contributions to design.

UTOO CANDAR

Residential Designer

Residential Designer | Dipl. Tech. Certified Passive House Designer , CPHD

 As a Residential Designer at Jamie Banfield Design Inc., Utoo Candar thrives on collaboration—working closely with clients, consultants, municipalities, and the JBD team to design homes that positively impact the lives of those who live in them. He holds a Diploma of Technology in Architectural and Building Technology from BCIT, where he developed a strong foundation in building sciences and construction, despite the program’s demanding workload.

Utoo's journey into residential design was fuelled by a desire for more creative freedom and the ability to work on projects at a more intimate scale. His design philosophy is rooted in minimalism and functionality, prioritizing thoughtful space planning that informs the overall massing and form of the building. With a keen eye for natural light and seamless indoor-outdoor integration, Utoo ensures that every design is both efficient and aesthetically cohesive.

As a Certified Passive House Designer, Utoo brings a deep understanding of building science and construction details, ensuring every aspect of a project is thoughtfully designed for efficiency and durability. His expertise in building codes, zoning regulations, and permitting requirements helps navigate complex approvals, while his attention to detail results in clear, contractor-friendly drawings that streamline the build process.

Beyond work, Utoo is passionate about travel, constantly seeking inspiration from global architectural styles and building techniques. He is particularly excited about thermally modified wood, a sustainable material gaining momentum in modern design.

ELLA McNEILL

junior Designer

Junior Designer | B.A. DES in Interior Design

Ella McNeill plays an integral role in bringing creative visions to life. She is involved in multiple stages of the design process, from drafting drawings and sourcing materials to developing concepts and attending client meetings. Ella thrives on the balance of technical precision and creative exploration that interior design offers, and she loves the opportunity to collaborate and learn from the team each day.

Ella earned her Bachelor of Interior Design from Vancouver Island University, where she developed a strong foundation in both the artistic and functional aspects of design. Her favorite course was her studio class, where she was able to see projects through from concept to completion, refining her ability to think through every design detail.

With a passion for residential design, Ella enjoys working closely with clients to create spaces that enhance their everyday lives. She believes that understanding how people live in their homes allows for thoughtful, meaningful designs. Seeing her contributions come to life in real spaces is one of the most rewarding aspects of her work.

Ella's design style is ever-evolving, but she gravitates toward simple, organic, textural, and warm interiors with a hint of moodiness. She has a strong eye for conceptual development, blending inspiration from concept photos with technical drawings to create cohesive and well-balanced designs. Her interest in color theory also allows her to look thoughtfully at layering tones, textures, and finishes to achieve harmonious interiors.

Currently, she is excited about the trend of woods with more variation and graining, adding warmth and depth to spaces. When problem-solving in a project, Ella believes in breaking challenges down step by step, ensuring a structured and efficient approach to finding the best solutions.

When she’s not pulling together design projects, Ella enjoys creative hobbies such as ceramics and DIY home projects, including refinishing furniture and decorating her own space. She believes in trusting personal instincts when it comes to design, encouraging clients to embrace what they naturally love while staying open to new possibilities.

Andre Roy

junior Designer

Junior Designer | D.I.D, in Interior Design

Andre Roy thrives on the diversity of each project at Jamie Banfield Design Inc., working with clients from all walks of life to craft spaces that reflect their unique stories and needs.

His journey into residential design began at a young age, sketching bedroom layouts to improve functionality. This early passion deepened through high school drafting classes, setting the foundation for his career in design.

With a sophisticated and organic aesthetic, Andre embraces clean lines, warm wood finishes, and subtle pops of colour with expertise in millwork design, backed by five years in the millwork industry. Andre assists in ensures that all millwork elements—from cabinetry to accessories—fit seamlessly within the design, balancing form and function effortlessly. A hands-on problem solver, Andre often sketches freehand layouts to explore possibilities and refine spatial planning. One design trend he’s excited about? The return of living metal finishes! Whether in fixtures, cabinet pulls, or lighting, he appreciates the warmth and character brass brings to a space.

His favourite part of the design process is material and finish selection, ensuring every element aligns with the overall vision while acting as a checklist to keep projects on track.

Outside of worklife, photography fuels Andre’s creativity, particularly portrait photography, where he enjoys capturing emotions and memories. He also loves hiking, finding inspiration in nature’s textures and colour palettes.